Welcome to the very first Throwback Thursday on Asteria Records! Every so often we’re going to reach into the vault, pull out a song, and shine a light on the people who helped make it. First up: “Clock stops ticking” by Razteria, from the 2024 album Prowess Blossoming.
The song
“Clock stops ticking” came out on November 29, 2024. It’s a bright, warm piece of pop rock with an alternative edge and a soft-rock heart, built on a steady 128 BPM in C minor. Guitars and piano ride over a driving groove, and the mood is pure uplift: summery, energetic and a little bit in love. It’s the kind of song that makes time feel like it’s standing still, which is exactly the point.
Renée Asteria Peñaloza wrote it with Dave Shul, sang it and mixed it. Dave produced and played the instruments, and a couple of Bay Area friends brought the rhythm and the keys. Listen on Bandcamp or Spotify.
The people behind it
Dave Shul: co-writer, producer, instruments
Dave has been a fixture of the Bay Area scene for more than three decades as a songwriter, producer and guitarist. He has played with Ozomatli, Sly and Robbie, Counting Crows, Pink and Billy Preston. He’s a voting member of the Recording Academy, and these days he also mentors young Bay Area musicians, coaching student bands and teaching guitar. Follow Dave on Instagram.
Ronnie Smith: drums
Ronnie laid down the drum track that keeps the clock moving under the whole song. Say hi to him on Instagram.
Eamonn Flynn: keys
Dublin-born keyboardist, singer and songwriter Eamonn Flynn first made his name playing Hammond and piano on the soundtrack of The Commitments. Since moving to San Francisco he has recorded and toured with Elvin Bishop, Maria Muldaur and Meters drummer Zigaboo Modeliste, among others, and he’s currently the keyboardist at San Francisco’s Glide Memorial Church. Right now he’s out with his band Dublinesque, which mixes Irish tradition with soul and gospel. Their new album is out on Little Village Music, and the release show is Sunday, October 25, 2026 at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley. Follow Eamonn on Instagram.
Justin Weis: mastering
Justin mastered the track at Trakworx, the mastering and recording studio he has run since 1995. Trakworx is marking 31 years in 2026 and works out of South San Francisco and South Lake Tahoe. Follow Trakworx on Instagram.
Watch the Shorts: Short 1, Short 2 and Short 3
Thanks for taking a trip back with us. Put on “Clock stops ticking,” turn it up, and we’ll see you next Thursday with another one from the vault.
